Former exec gets 16 months for copier fraud

Associated Press

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ERIE – A woman who helped an Erie businessman cheat his copy machine business customers out of roughly $8 million must spend 16 months in federal prison.

Federal prosecutors wanted more than three years in prison for 52-year-old Mary Beth Nagorski, of Erie, but a judge gave her leniency in finding she didn’t help keep the money for herself, but instead had a “misguided loyalty” to the owner and his company.

Nagorski was vice president of finance for Erie Copy Products Inc., whose 58-year-old owner, Frederick Zurn, died in January before he could begin serving his 4 1/2-year prison sentence. The business charged customers, including Erie-area churches and schools, for copy machines that were broken, less expensive than promised or never delivered.

Nagorski’s attorney also sought leniency because she cares for her 91-year-old father and mentally disabled brother.